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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...

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Tourist Resorts in Indian-Controlled Kashmir Temporarily Closed Amid Rising Tensions

 

Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir have temporarily shut down 48 of the 87 government-authorized tourist resorts in the scenic Himalayan region. This decision follows a deadly attack near the resort town of Pahalgam, where gunmen killed 26 people, most of them Indian tourists.

The attack has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to diplomatic measures such as visa cancellations, the recall of diplomats, and the suspension of a crucial water-sharing treaty. Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack, which was claimed by a previously unknown militant group.

The closures are a precautionary safety measure, but they have disrupted tourism in the region, which had been flourishing in recent years. Millions of visitors travel to Kashmir annually to experience its natural beauty, despite ongoing skirmishes between insurgents and government forces.

The situation remains tense, with cross-border firing reported along the Line of Control and increased security measures in place.

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